Darren Bravo is a gifted left-hander who, for years, was the best batsman in the region and a clone of his cousin, Brian Charles Lara, the best batsman the country has produced. But that was once upon a time. Darren Bravo vintage 2021 is not vintage at all. On merit. …
Read More »CPL 2021: How a Champion and a ‘Dom’ gave the Patriots their champagne moment
“[…] Then came the finale, the most thrilling CPL final in the tournament’s nine-year existence. The home upstarts SKN Patriots, representing the Leeward Islands against the dominant St Lucia Kings, representing the Windward Islands. “[…] Videos were out, shade being thrown by all supporters. Memes galore. So much fun and …
Read More »CPL 2021: Anatomy of a cricketing coup; an insider details how the Patriots became kings
“[…] In these smaller islands, the level of insularity in cricket and other sports means that opportunities for our players and athletes are inherently less than those of our more endowed larger island nations of the archipelago. “I was always one to support the underdog against all odds so now …
Read More »CPL 2021: Drakes leads Patriots to last-ball win, as hosts keep St Lucia Kings off the throne
For a brief moment, it looked like the umpiring, less than stellar throughout this year’s CPL played entirely at Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis, would steal Man-of-the-Match Dominic Drakes’ thunder. But, in the end, justice was done. Mere moments after the 23-year-old left-handed son of former West Indies …
Read More »CPL 2021: Evin Lewis spoils Hetmyer’s party; Patriots bid to stop Kings in first title battle
It was not even close. A no-contest. Shimron Hetmyer thumped a hat-trick of sixes in the final over to add substance to what would otherwise have been a very undaunting Guyana Amazon Warriors final score. And although it allowed Nicholas Pooran’s soldiers to troop off Warner Park in St Kitts …
Read More »CPL 2021: Pumped Shepherd, Pollard blast GAW and TKR into perfect semi match-ups
They left it late. But in the end, Kieron Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders reversed the result of Saturday evening’s match-up against Dwayne Bravo’s St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and finished on top of the 2021 CPL group stage table. The four-wicket victory they carved out at Warner Park in St …
Read More »T2021 W/C: From ‘Universe Boss’ to Walsh Jr; Best looks at ups and downs of Harper’s WI picks
West Indies lead selector Roger Harper is pleased with his and his selection panel’s handiwork. Good for him. Not I. “I expect the team to do very well,” he confidently declared during the media conference called to defend his and his fellow selectors’ work on Thursday. “I think we have …
Read More »CPL 2021: Evin Lewis gets sweet revenge, clouts unbeaten century vs Pollard’s TKR
If Evin Lewis brings the form he brought to Saturday’s penultimate St Kitts and Nevis Patriots game at Warner Park in St Kitts to Wednesday’s CPL 2021 final, new champions will be crowned. And thanks to a lacklustre showing by Kieron Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders in the late game on …
Read More »T2021 W/C: Grant-Perez revisits dream WI team, as Simmons and Gayle make way for CPL stars
“[…] Another ‘king’ whose crown has slipped is Chris Gayle. I made the case for the former heavy-scoring, left-handed opener. Now, I see the light. “It was pure sentimentality that made me want this World Cup to be his swansong; he simply has not earned a place. It was almost …
Read More »CPL 2021: Can starved fans look forward to more than a huge Bravo vs Pollard treat?
You don’t have to do the math. Dr Eric Williams did it for us all all those years ago when Frank Worrell was still captain of the West Indies team. Well, sort of. One from ten leaves nought, he said. For us, it is one from 11 leaves nought. Injury …
Read More »T2021 W/C: Abdulah wants Chase, Akeal, Rampaul in his dream WI XI; Gayle, Ramdin get in 15
“[…] At number three, my choice is Roston Chase. He is showing that he can hold an innings together—which is crucial in a team of big hitters—and his run rate is not bad at all. He has good technique, which is crucial in all formats of cricket, T20 included, and …
Read More »T2021 W/C: Why Roston, Rutherford and Rampaul are giving WI selectors nightmares
“[…] The bowling surprise of the 2021 CPL to date has been Ravi Rampaul. Making his return to the CPL after several years of absence, Rampaul has so far led the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders’ bowling with 13 wickets captured at a paltry 10.84 average, and at an economy …
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